Applying a client policy to a group of channels

ABSTRACT

Management and provisioning of networking traffic may be provided by bundling virtual channels into a group. A global policy may be applied to the bundle so that virtual ports providing services to a client may be managed by referring to the global policy of the bundle. The channels comprising the bundle may span multiple physical ports and in some cases, multiple physical switches. Thus, policy management may be avoided at the port level and instead, be handled as groups of channels implementing a client service.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present continuation application claims the benefit of priority ofU.S. application Ser. No. 13/741,982, filed Jan. 15, 2013, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to network management, and morespecifically, to a applying a client policy to a group of channels.

Network traffic going through a physical port may be controlled ormonitored via properties that are applied to the physical port itself.Furthermore, an 802.1Qbg standard may define how virtual ports may becreated and how to apply policies on each of the individual virtualports. Under the IEEE 802.1Qbg standard, one or more “S-Channels” may becreated and each channel may be associated with a profile ID. A servercan have multiple virtual machines (VMs), where a network administratorcan set up the policy (or a profile ID) for a given VM in a networkdatabase. When the VM is registered with a switch, the switch can querythe network database to get one or more fields of the specified profileID and map at least one field to the VM.

A problem may arise when certain services for a given client or acustomer are to be offered based on (or using) an aggregate group ofthese S-Channels or virtual ports that can span different physicalports. For example, a given customer may require (or may be required tohave) certain policies regarding services or restrictions (e.g. percustomer's service level agreement (SLA)) to be applied to all of thecustomer's channels. These types of policies may not be put in theprofile ID because the profile ID may be applicable to multiplecustomers and the channel may need customer specific configuration(s).Thus, a challenge is presented in how to standardize maintainingoperating properties for each channel or virtual port profile and/oraccess control lists (ACLs) while complying with the properties for theaggregate bundle or group of channels.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer programproduct for managing network traffic, comprises a computer readablestorage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith.The computer readable program code is configured to establish aplurality of virtual ports of a virtual machine in a physical server. Aplurality of virtual channels may be established assigned to theplurality of virtual ports. A number of the virtual channels may begrouped together into a bundle. A global policy may be applied to thebundle. The policy may relate to a client service.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a networksystem comprises a server, one or more physical switches on the server,a virtual machine, and an operating system. The virtual machine mayinclude one or more virtual ports on physical switches. The operatingsystem may be configured to establish one or more virtual channelsassociated with the one or more virtual ports, group a number of thevirtual channels together into a bundle, and apply a set of propertiesto the bundle. The set of properties may define a policy applicable toeach virtual channel associated with the bundle.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a networkswitch comprises a plurality of physical ports, a virtual machine, andan operating system. The virtual machine may include one or more virtualports connected through the plurality of physical ports via a pluralityof virtual channels. The operating system may be configured to group anumber of the virtual channels together into a bundle, apply a profileto each virtual port defining allowed policies for implementation of aclient service, and apply a global policy to the bundle. The globalpolicy may define which virtual ports in the network switch include theprofile.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a methodcomprises establishing a plurality of virtual ports in a physicalserver; establishing a plurality of virtual channels assignedrespectively to the plurality of virtual ports; grouping a number of thevirtual channels together into a bundle; and applying a global policy tothe bundle, wherein the policy relates to a client service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network system according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a network system according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of according to yet another embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics may include:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded, automatically, without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer may be to use the provider's applications running on cloudinfrastructure. The applications may be accessible from various clientdevices through a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g.,web-based email). The consumer need not necessarily manage or controlthe underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities,with the possible exception of limited user-specific applicationconfiguration settings.

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources may be pooled toserve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with differentphysical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassignedaccording to demand. There is a sense of location independence in thatthe consumer generally has no control or knowledge over the exactlocation of the provided resources, but may be able to specify locationat a higher level of abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities may be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically to quickly scale out, and maybe rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, thecapabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited andcan be purchased in any quantity at any time.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or process, or computerprogram product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readable mediahaving computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium ora computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage mediummay be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode 10 is shown. The cloud computing node 10 illustrated is only oneexample of a suitable cloud computing node and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality ofembodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, the cloudcomputing node 10 is capable of being implemented and/or performing anyof the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In the cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12,which is operational with numerous other general purpose or specialpurpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples ofwell-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations thatmay be suitable for use with the computer system/server 12 include, butare not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems,thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. The computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributedcloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network. Ina distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote computer system storage media includingmemory storage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, a computer system/server 12 in the cloud computingnode 10 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of the computer system/server 12 may include, but are notlimited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a systemmemory 28, and a bus 18 that couples various system components includingthe system memory 28 to the processor 16.

The bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

The computer system/server 12 may typically include a variety ofcomputer system readable media. Such media could be chosen from anyavailable media that is accessible by computer system/server 12,including volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removablemedia.

The system memory 28 could include one or more computer system readablemedia in the form of volatile memory, such as a random access memory(RAM) 30 and/or a cache memory 32. The computer system/server 12 mayfurther include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatilecomputer system storage media. By way of example only, a storage system34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable,non-volatile magnetic media device typically called a “hard drive” (notshown). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from andwriting to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppydisk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to aremovable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or otheroptical media could be provided. In such instances, each can beconnected to the bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will befurther depicted and described below, the system memory 28 may includeat least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) ofprogram modules that are configured to carry out the functions ofembodiments of the invention.

A program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in the system memory 28 by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, andprogram data or some combination thereof, may include an implementationof a networking environment. The program modules 42 generally carry outthe functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention asdescribed herein.

The computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or moreexternal devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24,etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with thecomputer system/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card,modem, etc.) that enable the computer system/server 12 to communicatewith one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occurvia Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 22. Alternatively, the computersystem/server 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as alocal area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or apublic network (e.g., the Internet) via a network adapter 20. Asdepicted, the network adapter 20 may communicate with the othercomponents of computer system/server 12 via the bus 18. It should beunderstood that although not shown, other hardware and/or softwarecomponents could be used in conjunction with the computer system/server12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, devicedrivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAIDsystems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative cloud computing environment 50is depicted. As shown, the cloud computing environment 50 comprises oneor more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices usedby cloud consumers, such as, for example, a personal digital assistant(PDA) or a cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer54C, and/or a automobile computer system 54N, may communicate. The nodes10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped physically orvirtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public,or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.This allows cloud the computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,platforms, and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer doesnot need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It isunderstood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in FIG. 2 areintended to be illustrative only and that the computing nodes 10 and thecloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby the cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

A hardware and software layer 60 may include hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes, in oneexample IBM® zSeries® systems; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)architecture based servers, in one example IBM pSeries® systems; IBMxSeries® systems; IBM BladeCenter® systems; storage devices; networksand networking components. Examples of software components includenetwork application server software, in one example IBM WebSphere®application server software; and database software, in one example IBMDB2® database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, xSeries, BladeCenter,WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International Business MachinesCorporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide).

A virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, a management layer 64 may provide the functionsdescribed below. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricingprovide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA.

A workloads layer 66 may provide functionality for which the cloudcomputing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and network channel bundling.

In general, embodiments of the present invention may provide a method ofapplying a given policy to a group of channels. One more services may beoffered on a bundle or a group of virtual ports, where any one of thevirtual ports can be associated with any one of an existing group ofphysical ports. A server and switch combination may be aggregatorsacross different physical ports, and/or different physical servers,where any one of the offered services may comprise one or more fields,wherein at least one of the fields may be replicated and applied acrossall the specified channels within the defined group of channels orvirtual ports.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a network system 100 (referred to sometimes assystem 100) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The system 100 may include a data center server 110 incommunication with a network switch 120 in a multi-channel environmentvia a plurality of channels 135. The data center server 110 may includea plurality of data sources, for example edge relays 115 ₀, 115 ₁, 115₂, 115 ₃ to 115 _(n), (referred to collectively as relays 115). Twophysical ports 125 (labeled as “A” and “B”) may connect the data centerserver 110 to the network switch 120. Physical connections between thedata center server 110 and the network switch 120 may be provided byEthernet connections 160. For sake of illustration only, the channels135: “1A”, “2A”, and “3A” are defined as part of physical port 125 “A”,and channels 135: “1B” and “2B” are defined as part of physical port 125“B”. In this example, both ports 125: “A” and “B” are physically locatedwithin the same network switch 120. Software may configure the networkswitch 120 to include a plurality of virtual ports 145 residing withinthe network switch 120.

The channels 135 may be virtual channels established or created toprovide a connection between a VM running on the data center server 110and one or more of the virtual ports 145 on the network switch 120. Eachchannel 135 may be created within either port 125 (“A” or “B”). A groupof channels 135 or virtual ports 145 may be defined per client as abundle 170, 180. In some embodiments, the channels 135 may be S-channeltypes. Client specified properties may be applied or shared between allof the channels 135 of the bundle 170, 180.

A bundle 170, 180 may span multiple physical ports 125. For example, abundle 170, 180 may be defined to receive a first client (or servicetype or customer) set of properties. Each property may include one ormore field values. An exemplary set of properties may be seen in table105. Bundle 170 may comprise three specified channels 135, for example,those labeled as “1A”, “2A”, and “1B” that span both physical ports 125“A” and “B”. Similarly, channels 135 labeled as “3A” and “2B” may begrouped together as bundle 180 and may be defined to receive a secondclient (or service type or customer) set of properties. Bundle 180 mayalso span both physical ports 125: “A” and “B”.

In some embodiments, all the traffic going via a single channel 135 maybe tagged according to the channel designation, for example, “channel1A”. The receiving entity may determine, using the channel's tag, thatit is Ch. 1A, and may apply the policies pre-specified for channel 1Atraffic. There may various types of properties (for example those intable 105) which may be defined as part of the channel's profile.

In an exemplary embodiment, a group of virtual channels 135 (forexample, bundles 170, 180) may be established where a given client orgroup policy may possess or share different service types or profiles.The group of virtual channels 135 may comprise one or more virtualchannels that may have common or similar characteristics but do notnecessarily have the same profile or correspond to the same server orswitch as the other channels.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a system 200 is shown, similar tosystem 100 except that the data center server 110 may be connected tomultiple network switches 220 and 285. The network switch 220 mayinclude the physical port 125 “A”. The network switch 285 may includethe physical port 125 “B” and a third physical port 125 “C”.Furthermore, channels “1A” and “2A” may be defined as part of physicalport 125 “A”. Channels 135 “1B” and “2B” may be defined as part ofphysical port 125 “B”. Channel 135 “1C” may be defined as part ofphysical port 125 “C”.

A bundle 270 of channels 135 may be defined to receive another client(or service type or customer) set of properties. Bundle 270 may comprisethree channels 135: “1A”, “2A”, and “1C” that may span both physicalports 125: “A” and “C”. Channels 135: “1B” and “2B” may be grouped intoa bundle 280, which may defined to receive a fourth client (or servicetype or customer) set of properties. In exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, channels 135 may be grouped together into a globalgroup, where all the channels 135 may be defined across and spanningmultiple switches (for example, switches 220 and 280) or servers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the specified channels within the bundle 270may comprise virtual channels 135 of different types of network traffic.Each virtual channel 135 may be defined by a profile. Each profile mayinclude an individual profile identification (ID) and policy parametersdefining a policy usable on the channel. Profile IDs may be mapped toeach channel 135 which may be provided to the switch 220 or 280corresponding to the channel 135. The switch 220 or 280 may look up theprofile ID in a table and may set the policies applicable to the channel135 based on the information in the table. For example, channel 135 “1A”and channel 135 “2A” may be defined to have a storage traffic profile.Storage traffic services may need guaranteed end to end reliability andthus a lossless traffic policy may be applied to the traffic of channels“1A” and “2A”. Channel 135 “1C” may be defined to possess a web serverprofile, and thus a specific web traffic policy may be applied tochannel “1C”. For example, a client may want to prioritize bandwidthusage across channels 135 using a bandwidth policy. The bandwidth policymay include SLA's applied to queues of the virtual ports 245 to obtainthe necessary bandwidth.

By applying an overall client policy to a bundle 270, 280, the groupingof multiple channels 135 may be realized when all three channels 135,for example channels “1A”, “2A”, and “1C” belong to the same client orcustomer. When employing a client's SLA, client policies specific tothat client may be applied to all of the client's channels. In someembodiments, the properties of such a customer's policy may notnecessarily be implemented or used in the profile ID of each individualvirtual channel because the profile ID may span to different customersand also may have various generic shared properties with other channelslocated associated with the same physical port 125. Thus, in anexemplary embodiment, a client's policy may be generated using theclient's SLA and then the client's policy may be applied to or matchedto a bundle 280 that spans any of the channels 135 used by a client.This may be beneficial for example in a dynamic environment when aserver transfers a virtual machine to another server.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method 300 of applying a customer's policy toa group of channels 135 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. An operating system may establish (310) aplurality of virtual ports and channels to the ports on a switch(es).The operating system may group (315) a plurality of channels intobundles. The operating system may use hardware assisted support to apply(325) a local policy to all physical ports on a switch that correspondto channels within the bundle. The hardware assist function may keeptrack of all ports within a physical hardware platform. For example, ifbandwidth metering is desired for all traffic for a given customer, inaccordance with the customer's SLA, then a hardware assisted “meteringbucket” may be dynamically realized that may track a customer's trafficacross multiple physical ports within the same switch or server.However, if the bundle spans multiple switches or servers, then thehardware assist function may require additional coordination andsynchronization between the various hardware platforms to maintain orapply (330) a global policy to the bundle. The operating system may usesoftware to aggregate (335) data from various switch elements (e.g.,switches/servers/ports/channels) to apply a local or global group policyto the bundle. The software may be a master process that retrieves datafrom various locally running processes. The master process may aggregatethe data per local or global group properties. Higher layer/levelnetwork services may also be used to apply (340) a policy on bundles ofchannels that are pertinent to the rest of the network (i.e. corerouter, ISP, DHCP server, etc.).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: establishing a plurality ofvirtual ports in a first physical server; establishing a plurality ofvirtual channels assigned respectively to the plurality of virtualports; grouping a number of the virtual channels together into a bundle;and applying a global policy to the bundle, wherein the global policyrelates to a client service.
 2. The method of claim 1, includingproviding the client service through the bundle across multiple physicalports.
 3. The method of claim 2, including providing the client servicethrough the bundle across multiple physical switches.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein more than one client service is provided through thebundle.
 5. The method of claim 1, including providing a virtual machineusing the virtual ports, the virtual machine being movable from thefirst physical server to a second physical server.